Austin, Texas – The Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO) released the following statement after an announcement from the Trump Administration that Canada has agreed to join the United States, Mexico, and Canada Agreement (USMCA), which will replace the former North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The statement can be attributed to Ed Longanecker, president of TIPRO.
“The conclusion of negotiation talks with Canada to form the USMCA comes at a unique time in our country’s history as the United States becomes the largest producer of oil and natural gas in the world. Energy integration with Mexico, the United States and Canada has been a success story that has led to the creation of many new opportunities to improve trade relations across North America.
TIPRO has advocated for several items that have been included in the USMCA, including continued zero tariffs on oil and natural gas products and the preservation of investor-state dispute settlements (ISDS), a key provision that serves to protect multi-national companies that invest abroad. While ISDS will be phased out for Canada, they will be included in four areas of investment in Mexico, including oil and gas, power generation services, telecommunication services, transportation services, and the ownership or management of infrastructure.
A continued priority for TIPRO is focused on lifting steel and aluminum tariffs, which were not addressed under the USMCA and are currently on a separate track with the administration. Continuing to strengthen trade relations in North America supports increased production of domestic oil and natural gas and expands both economic and geopolitical benefits for our country. TIPRO urges Congress to approve the USMCA.”